Indicator for tobacco containers



M y 3. 1933. HENSMANNS 1,910,952

INDICATOR FOR TOBACCO CONTAINERS Filed Aug. 25, 1952 INVENTOR. 1152:1 11: Hans/manna ATTORNEY.

Patented May 23, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LIBE R-TUS HEN'SMANNS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS INDICATOR non TOBACCO CONTAINERS Application filed August 23, 1932. -Serial No. 630,070.

The present invention relates to an improved indicator for tobacco containers.

One of the objects of the persent invenprovide an indicator of the above character which can be cheaply manufactured in various sizes so that the same can be used for large humidors or small individual containers and can be readily placed in position for use.

W'ith the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel features of construction, the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, pointed out in the claims and shown in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1' is a plan view ofa tobacco container.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail enlarged section through the cover, showing the edge of the indicator in elevation.

Fig. 4 is a plan View of a modified form of container with which my indicator is used and Fig. 5 is a sectional view on the line 55 of Fig. 4.

In the accom anying drawing a substantially rectangu ar tobacco container is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3 and this container includes a body member 1 having an opening at one side normally closed by means of a cover 2 hinged to the body at 3.

The cover 2 has a flange 4 extending laterally therefrom adjacent its outer edge of the body 1, as illustrated by dotted lines in Fig. 2, for retaining the cover in a closed A further object of the invention is to position. The outer edge of the cover. extends beyondthe body to provide an extension to facilitate the opening of the cover.

Arranged upon the inner face of the cover 2 is the indicator '5 which preferably includes a blank of suitable paper or cardboard which has been chemically treated for the purpose intended. The body of the indicator is held in place against the inner face of the cover by means of the spaced strapsfi the ends of which may be. suitably connected to the cover. Oneedge ofthe indicator is turned down against the inner face of thefiange 6 as i shown at 7 to provide a tight. fit between the flange and the body 1 when the cover is in a closed position. The indicator 5 is chemically treated for changing color under certain atmospheric conditions and in the present instance the treatment is such as to cause the indicator to appear blue under dry conditions, and appear white when the surrounding atmosphere contains moisture.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that when the tobacco in the container is in a moist condition the indicator will disclose such condition by appearing white. However, as the moisture evaporates and leaves the tobacco, the indicator will begin to ap pear blue so that the condition of the tobacco within the container can be readily ascertained.

These indicators can be readily made in various sizes and shapes for different types of containers. In Figs. 4 and 5 the indicator is illustrated as applied to a circular container and in this instance the indicator has its outer edge bent downwardly to form an annular flange which extends around upon the inner face of the flange on the cover (2) and provides a tight fit between the cover and body (1) of the container.

The indicator in either instance may be chemically treated to disclose any color other than those referred to as long as one color is used to indicate a moist condition and another color a dry condition. Therefore if this indicator be incorporated in the construction of tobacco containers for use on the market, a purchaser may readily note the condition of the tobacco upon opening the cover and viewing the indicator. It may also be used in personal humidors.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be noted that various changes and alterations may be carried out when putting the same into use without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims,

What I claim is:

1. A tobacco container, having a movable cover, a flange carried by the cover for engagement with the container, and an indi-V cator member having a lateral portion for engagement with the inner face of flange to provide a tight fit between the cover and the container.

2. A tobacco container, having a movable I cover, a flangecarried by the cover for engagement with the container, and a chemically treated indicator adapted to change color under different atmospheric conditions 7 and having a lateral portion for engagement with the inner face of the flange to provide a tight fit between the cover and the container. I

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 11th day of August A. D. 1932.

I LIBERTUS HENSMANNS. 

